Mechanical manipulator.



No. 896,484. PATENTED AUG. 18, 1908.

' W. A. THOMS.

MECHANICAL MANIPULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18, 1907.

Mina 4284 10 WILLIAM A. THOMS, OF BATAVIA, ILLINOIS.

MECHANICAL MANIPULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 18, 1908.

Application filed. September 18, 1907. Serial No. 893,568.

lating the body or limbs of the patient in the cure .or prevention of certain ailments.

More specifically my invention relates to devices especially adapted for manipulating the back, particularly 1n the lumbar regions. The object of my invention is to provide a device as mentioned, by means of which any desired amount of pressure may be applied to the back upon each side of the spine without placing undue ressure upon the spine.

A further object 1s to rovide a device as mentioned, WhlOh may e operated by the patient or by another who is to give the treatment.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

My invention further consists in various details of construction and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this speclfication and in which,

Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a manipulator embodying my invention in its preferred form, illustrating the same with a pair of handles attached to the axle, Fi 2 is an elevation of the same mounted in a ame or starrd, Fig. 3 is an end view of the device arranged as in Fig. 2, Fi 4 is a plan view of a board or table wit the manipulator mounted in bearings therein, and Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line a:a: of Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the roller. Thls is preferably formed of two spheroidal portions, 11 connected by a reduced central portion 2 which forms a recess, 3 of suflicient size to accommodate the spinal rocess as the device is rolled up and own t e lumbar regions of the back. Although I have illustrated the portions, 11 as connected by the central portion, 2, it is obvious that the portion, 2 may be omitted and that the portions, 1-1 may be s aced on the axle a, sufiicient distance to orm the recess 3 between them. The roller is preferably formed of rubber, as usually a soft or liable roller is best fitted for the treatment;

owever, they may be made of hard or unyielding material 1f desired. In either case they may be covered if referred, with a jac et or casing, 4, formed of cloth, felt or other suitable material.

The roller is mounted upon an axle, 5 extending transversely therethrough. The roller may be mounted directlyupon the axle, especially if it is formed of hard material, but I refer to form the roller u on a sleeve, 6, w ich forms a good hearing or the roller on the axle, 5.

77 indicate collars or shoulders on the axle, 5for preventing lateral movement of the roller thereon andthe sleeve, 6is preferablyprovided with annular flanges, 88, to bear against the shoulders, 7. Each end of the axle, 5 is rovided with a hearing or journal, 9 bywhich it is mounted inasuitable bracket or support; and beyond the bearings, 9, the axle terminates in threaded extensions, 10, by means of which the handles, 11 may be detachably secured thereto.

When the device is to be operated by a person other than the patient, the handles, 11 are secured to the axle as shown in Fig. 1. These are grasped by the operator and the roller is moved up and down the back of the patient, the portions, 1-1 of the roller being upon each side of the spine. The 0 erator may ap ly as much pressure as desire( without a p ying any undue pressure to the spine. If it is desired to ap 1y some pressure to the s ine but not so much as upon the tissues each side thereof, the central portion, 2 may be made of greater diameter. By varying the proportionate diameter of the portions, 1 and 2, t e degree of ressure upon the spine and the back each si e thereof may be nicely regulated. If the handles, 11, be made long enough the patient may operate the device in this form, himself. However, I find the arrangements shown in Figs. 2 to 5 best suited for use by the patient.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have illustrated a bracket or stand in which the device maybe mounted. This comprises a base, 12 and the sides, 13.

With this form, the device is placed on the floor and the patient lies across the same upon his back, with the roller portions, 11 upon opposite sides of the spine. By moving himself across the roller, which may with a little practice be done with ease, the back may be adequately mani ulated.

If for any reason the ack of the patient will not permit lying across the device arranged as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the roller may be mounted in a board or table, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

14 indicates the board ortable havingahole, 1 ti t herein ol'sullicient size to receive the roller; and upolieach side of the hole, 16 are formed bearings, 1."), in which the axle is mounted. Willi this arrangement, the top of the roller reaches but a slight distance above the plane upon which the patient rests, hence. can be used bythose unable to use the device as arranged in Figs. .2 and 3. I

ll isobviousthatwiththedeviceconstructed as shown and described, it may be used in either of the ways, mentioned or may be placed upon the iloor without either of the supports and'used as hereinbelore described.

llaving described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a roller comprising a pair of spheroidal members connected by an intermediate portion of less diameter and a sleeve extending longitudinally therethrough in combination with an axle. extending through said sleeve, collars on said axle to prevent longitudinal movement of said roller and annular flanges on the ends of said sleeves to engage said collars, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, a roller comprising a pairof spheroidal portions connected by an intermediate portion of less diameter and a sleeve extending longitudinally therethrough in combination with an axle extending through said sleeve, collars on said axle to prevent longitudinal movement of said roller, a stand adapted to rest on the floor and having bearings for said axle,-said axle being formed with journals to rest in said bearings and being detachably mounted therein and means on the end of said axle for attaching a pair of handles thereto, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, a roller comprising a pair of spheroidal members connected by an intermediate portion of less diameter and rotatably mounted upon a suitable axle, a stand comprising a base portion adapted to rest upon the floor and end brackets having bearings for said shaft, the shaft being dctachably mounted therein and means for attaching a pair of handles to the ends of said axle, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, a roller comprising a pair of spheroidal members connected by an intermediate portion of less diameter and a sleeve extending longitudinally therethrtnigh, in combination with an axle extending through said sleeve, collars on said axle to prevent longitudinal movement of said roller, journals upon said axle and a screw portion formed upon each end of said axle for attaching a pair of handles thereto, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof,-I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM A. THOMS.

Witnesses:

F. E. SIIEEIIY, HELEN F. LILLIS. 

